Poured from the bottle into a pils style glass. Best before Oct 14th 2014.

A dark amber body, with hints of orange hues towards the bottom and quite dark. The beer though has a very good amount of clarity though through the center making it that much more impressive. Head is faint tan with a good two fingers. Settles to a nice thick tan collar as well that is fine in carbonation.

The aroma is exquisite. Strong malted smoke and bbq. Lots of toasty chips and small amounts of sweetness. About as good as it gets. Nothing more needs to be said.

Palate though is quite surprising. Very light feel, with a more unexpected palate. Very light body with classic roast, but there is a big aftertaste of cinnamon and nutmeg like sweetness on the finish. Faint banana like quality and a bit of clove also. Fascinating hints of caramel and of course classic beechwood smoke. Light tannic finish as well, with a very complex character.

It's an amazing beer, and has some interesting definitely marzen character to it as well. However, it seems to lack in the density department a bit, but this delivers amazingly regardless.

Served in a Krug at Brauerei Spezial on 4/7/2013. Pours a translucent amber with a dense, buttermilk-colored 1.5 inch head. Nose expresses smoked pork, oak and some buttery notes. Taste consistent with nose with some earthy hops bittering at the finish. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with a carbonation just shy of prickly and a semi-dry finish. Not as balanced as Schlenkerla's Marzen, but very good nonetheless. A solid barometer for the style.